2026 marks 50 years since the first girls’ section paddled out from Garden Island, a milestone made possible through the passion, leadership, and partnership of countless women and men in the Wabun community.
For more than half of Wabun’s 94-year history, girls’ sections have traveled the same northern rivers as boys’ sections, helping shape the culture, spirit, and tradition that make Wabun so special today.
From the pioneers of that first season to every woman who has led, paddled, mentored, worked behind the scenes, or sent a camper north… this milestone honors all who helped build and sustain Wabun’s legacy.
This year, we’re coming together to celebrate the past, reconnect as a community, and support the next generation of campers.
Help us reach our Women of Wabun Campaign goal of $50,000.
You can contribute as a Wabun Woman or in honor of a Wabun Woman!
Invest in one of Wabun Foundation’s critical funding areas:
- Greatest need/Sustainability
- Access/Scholarships
- Infrastructure/Renewal and Upkeep
Make a donation in honor of a Woman of Wabun (WoW) in your life
Reunite on the water for a special anniversary trip celebrating the spirit of Wabun. Open to women alumni, family and friends ages 18+ (under 18? Become a camper this summer!). Mark your calendars!
When: July 30 – August 5, 2026
Where: Join a Temagami area trip on a classic route like Diamond, Wakimika, Obabika. In ultralight canoes and with plenty of padding in the itinerary, this trip is for everyone!
We’ll spend time swimming and reminiscing together or discovering why the Wabun campers in your life can’t stop talking about rock beavers, fish fiestas, and the Obabika Highway!
The trip will end on August 5th with a Wabun-style Paddle In to Garden Island just in time for the 2026 end-of-season festivities.
Who: Wabun Women Alumni and Friends. We have room for up to 8 people. Call your friends and don’t miss out on a spot!
Please contact Phoebe Knowles at phoebe.knowles@wabun.org for information on how to sign up.
(Interested in a Women Alumni & Friends Dumoine River Trip this summer? Please let Katherine Finnegan and Jo Moore know ASAP if you’d like to participate!)
Thank you to all the Wabun friends and family who joined with us in Cleveland, Ohio to celebrate this big milestone and support the future of Wabun on April 18, 2026!
So many people contributed to making the evening such an amazing success – especially our event sponsors and hosts, Chris and Laura Sullivan McKenna and Casey Forbes and Signe Worlstad-Forbes, Himbrimi Gin, the Silent Auction item donors and bidders, the Raffle item donors and winners and the outstanding Event Committee volunteers!
We heard wonderful remarks from Wabun Foundation Board Chair, Hardin Coleman, Wabun Managing Director, Jessica Lewis, Wabun’s first female camper ever, Julie Hinchman and we enjoyed Chris Foster’s spot-on reading of John Monroe’s Reflections about his experience as the first head staff of the first girls section in 1977.
Bill Porter lead us all in our fund-a-need Paddle Raise during the party – We announced that an anonymous leadership donor had challenged us to raise $13K at the Barn Bash to unlock another $13K – The total amount, equivalent to two Long Trip Scholarships. Together we didn’t just meet the challenge – we surpassed it!
From the Silent Auction to the stories shared throughout the evening, it was a powerful reminder of what this community is all about and what we can do when we come together.
Thank you for your presence, your generosity, and your belief in Wabun.
With deep gratitude,
Phoebe Knowles, Executive Director
Thank you to everyone who donated items, and who registered and participated in the Silent Auction.
Bidding closed during the Barn Bash event on April 18 and all winners have been notified.
Congratulations to those who bid and won some of the Wabun classics, fantastic experiences, jewelry, hand crafted arts and much more! Each item was lovingly donated by Wabun Alumni, Friends and other like-minded crafters.
Any person who registered to bid by April 9 was entered to win a prize. Winners were announced during the Barn Bash, and while we initially planned on 3 prizes, we ended up giving away 17 items to people who registered to bid!
Thank you all again for making the silent auction such a huge success!
Celebrating the Past. Supporting the Future.
Thank you for being part of this milestone year – and for helping carry Wabun’s mission forward for the next 50 years.
For questions and feedback, please reach out to the WoW Planning Committee Chairs: Women of Wabun Gift Campaign Chairs: Stephanie Sullivan, Chris Foster, and Margot Moses, Women of Wabun Event Committee Chair: Lila Cleminshaw, Women of Wabun Program Committee Chair: Jo Lekometros Moore or to Wabun Foundation Executive Director, Phoebe Knowles (phoebe.knowles@wabun.org).